PORTLAND, Ore. - Three unanswered second-half goals spoiled the 2014 season debut for the Drake women’s soccer team as Boise State registered a 3-0 triumph past the Bulldogs in the opening game of the Portland State Tournament on Friday (Aug. 22).

“We struggled in general to keep the ball and to get numbers forward in the final third, and no doubt those two issues impacted each other this evening,” Drake head coach Lindsey Horner commented. “We have some key players out of our line-up right now, but what an opportunity this creates for the rest of the squad to get experience. Today we started five freshmen, so clearly we are young and will have a steep learning curve. In the meantime, we have lean on our veterans to set the tempo, hunt for the ball and dictate play and take the team on their back.”

Neither team cracked the scoreboard in a defensive-minded first half. The Broncos outshot the Bulldogs in the initial stanza, 3-0.

Kayla Tucker scored what proved to be the game-winning goal for Boise State in the 59th minute (58:53) off assists from Kelsey Nicassio and Kelli Drobney.

The Broncos also garnered goals from Brooke Heidemann and Sarah Taylor at the 62:46 and 84:16 marks, respectively, to account for the final 3-0 margin.

Senior Ashlie Stokes (Sioux City, Iowa/Sioux City North) recorded the Bulldogs’ lone shot in the affair, as Boise State bested Drake in shots, 11-1, including 7-0 on goal.

In her collegiate debut, freshman goalkeeper Haley Morris (Clive, Iowa/Valley) corralled four saves for the Bulldogs. Janelle Flores didn’t’ record a save for the Broncos en route to notching a shutout.

Drake returns to action on Sunday (Aug. 24) with a 12:00 p.m. CT contest versus Utah Valley to conclude the Bulldogs’ efforts at the Portland State Tournament.